Free-range eggs taking the market by storm

This is the first time these eggs account for more than half of the retail market value.

According to the latest figures issued by British Lion eggs, a 20% rise in volume and 46% rise in value of free-range eggs has been seen. This means that 1 in 4 eggs sold in retail stores is free-range.

Total egg sales volume for the four weeks ending 29 January 2008 was up by more than 1%, which follows sustained growth of 2.5% in 2007. Egg market value rose by almost one-third, with sales exceeding £56 mln (US$110 mln) in January 2008.

Chairman of the British Egg Industry Council, Andrew Parker: "We put the sustained growth down to the wealth of scientific evidence showing that eggs are good for you… The egg industry has become one of the most successful agricultural sectors by reacting to consumer demand and we are well prepared to supply additional free-range eggs if the market demands it," he said.